Yosef Lishansky

Yosef Lishansky
Yosef Lishansky in the 1910’s
Born1890
Died16 December 1917(1917-12-16) (aged 26–27)
Cause of deathExecution by hanging
Resting placeMount Herzl
EducationIncomplete seminar studies
OccupationFarm manager
Known for• Founder of the Jewish Magen defense organization
• Executed for Nili group espionage during World War I
SpouseRivka Broshkovsky
ChildrenIvriya (daughter) and
Toviah (son)
Parent(s)Eidel and Ya'akov Toviah

Yosef Lishansky (Hebrew: יוסף לישנסקי; 1890 – 16 December 1917) was a Jewish spy for the British in Ottoman Palestine. Upon making Aliyah, Lishansky sought to join HaShomer but, denied membership, he founded a rival organization, HaMagen. Several years later, he joined the Jewish espionage organization, Nili.

Lishansky was wanted by the Ottomans for his activities and was betrayed by HaShomer when he sought refuge with them. He escaped capture several times, but was eventually caught and sentenced to death in Damascus.